Monday, July 31 2017
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Belles of the Brawl V in Boston on October 5th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether they've had first hand experience, their father has passed or their friend has put up a victory against the disease – they’ve all got a story to tell and they’ve all got a reason to fight. Below you’ll hear from Deja Cairns, fighting out of Elite Boxing & Fitness in North Attleborough, MA.
Where are you from?
Attleboro, MA but grew up in little Rhody!
Where’d you go to college?
Rhode Island College for undergrad and Simmons College for my Master’s degree.
Did you play any sports growing up?
Nope…I didn’t start working out and getting fit until my early twenties.
What do you do for work?
I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I work with children with special needs. I absolutely love what I do and the children teach me as much as I teach them! The best feeling in the world is helping a child discover their voice and hearing them talk for the first time. My job is extremely rewarding and I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else.
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
No way did I ever picture myself doing this! In fact, when one of the members of the gym was training for Haymakers last October she asked me if I would ever do it…and I just laughed at her…guess who is laughing now?
I started boxing after my second daughter to change up my workout routine and to help lose that baby weight. In the process, I learned to love it. I look forward to working out and hitting a bag/pads!
Why did you sign up to fight?
Wait I signed up to fight?! (Lol) I signed up because cancer has affected me, my family and even friends. I watched as people I love fight cancer and I thought why not take my love of boxing to knock out cancer!
In addition, all my life I have been told: “I can’t do something”. That has always fueled me and I have done and surpassed even my biggest expectations! I once trained for a mini triathlon in 6 weeks just to prove to myself I can do it. I actually had to teach myself to swim the proper way apparently the doggy paddle isn’t the most effective way to swim…lol
So I guess I have always been a fighter, pushing myself past my comfort zone. I have two little girls that look up to me and I want them to learn they can do anything they put their mind to and to fight for something they believe in!
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure-Where are you drawing your inspiration from how has cancer affected you?
Wow, this is getting deep…Cancer affects millions of people and their families. Cancer has hit my family and hit it hard. Some have survived and unfortunately, some succumbed to this disease. I am fighting for every person that cancer has affected!
What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during the training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?)
Hold on a minute…I have to give up things?!
I am a pretty disciplined person when it comes to what I eat but I am sure I will miss indulging on the weekends and at summer parties. I will definitely miss going down to Philly with my husband to cheer on the Eagles! This is an annual trip we try and go on just to get away from it all and enjoy each other…Sorry, Jamie but we can do that next year! I’m training ;)
However, what I am going to miss the MOST would be time away from my family especially my husband and two adorable little girls. Training for this has already taken some time from them so I will make every moment I spend with them count. The same goes for when I am training and in that ring!
When you’re not throwing punches and training—what other hobbies/interest do you have?
I LOVE working out and the way I feel after. Whether it is at the gym, boxing, going for a walk, etc. doesn’t matter I love it! I also LOVE spending time with family and just enjoying life!
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
I would have to say my brother Jay. He laughed when I told him I was doing this and then said “Dej you have never even been in a fight before, what are you thinking?”. I think my parents especially my dad will be the ones that don’t want to watch their “baby girl” get hit. So I guess I better move my head!!!
Be sure to check out her fundraising page here and wish her luck! Best of luck, Deja!